Review: Amanda Blank- I Love You
Released: August 4, 2009
- Make It Take It 2:26
- Something Bigger, Something Better 3:05
- Make-Up 2:16
- Gimme What You Got 2:47
- Lemme Get Some 3:01
- Shame On Me 3:56
- A Love Song 3:34
- DJ 2:53
- Might Like You Better 2:55
- Big Heavy 3:59
- Leaving You Behind 2:46
The first mention I heard of this album was from Nylon’s “Artists of the Year” free playlist. In all honestly, the song “Might like You Better” did not appeal to me at first. The robotic beginning and forward lyrics were at odds with my taste. However, one fateful day I left my iTunes on shuffle and before I knew it I was halfway through with listening to the song. And, most shockingly, I liked it. This sparked a new interest in her 2009 release of her album, I Love You.
First on the album “Make it Take It” was definitely a good album kickoff, with its fast drums, breezy attitude and catchy chorus, it was slightly reminiscent of Santigold’s first album, in my opinion. Next was “Something Bigger, Something Better.” It was a more rap-oriented, profane, feminist song than the first. In fact, if I hadn’t known better, I would have thought it was a completely different artist, or at least a different album. And yet again, on the third song (entitled “Make-Up”) I got another vibe. It was a more electronic song. She sung/rapped about how she went about getting ready for a date. If she had sung it in a high-pitched valley girl voice I would have assumed it to me Millionaires or something of that nature.
This type of thing continued each song with a different sound. The only relation any of them had was an aggression and attitude that I enjoyed a lot. From the I-don’t-give-a-fuck “Gimme What You Got” to the regretful “Shame on Me,” every song had a great beat and attitude toward them. There was no fake to be seen on this album. There were those funny, comical songs like “Big Heavy” and “DJ” that were mixed in semi-seamlessly with more serious songs like “A Love Song” which simply stated “I need love, I need love/ I’m a lady.” Finishing off with an almost indie, sweet sounding “Leaving you Behind” which left a bittersweet ending to a conflicting album.
Though I believe she jumped around more than necessary with her genres, and though I wish some of the songs had had a better lyrics to them (“Make-Up” and “Lemme Get Some” seemed very boring to me, not much emotion there,) serious songs like “Shame on Me” and “A Love Song” helped even out the album. And as a hole, even if it looks like a teenager’s messy attempt at finding a genre to call home, the songs were honest, open, and about things many other girls (or boys) can relate to: I know I can.
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Favorites: Shame on Me, Make It Take It, Big Heavy, DJ
Skips: Lemme Get Some, Make-Up, Gimme What You Got
For Fans Of: Santigold, M.I.A., Spank Rock
Lyrics: 13/20 Artwork: 18/20 Vocals: 17/20 Music: 15/20 Overall: 15/20
Final Grade: 78/100 C+
